Post-Trip Thoughts

Last Few Weeks:

1. Busy Workflow

2. Funeral

3. Trip to see family and vacation in Italy

In short, it has been absolutely hectic with a wide range of emotions. I have a few takeaways from my trip that I needed to write down given the imprint they left in my brain. They are not necessarily "special" to everyone but left me amazed during the last few weeks.

1. USA is truly unique. There really is no other country like us. This is mainly a good thing, and still remains the best place to live. There is a certain magic that this country provides that has been lost by each successive generation. Different topic, but main takeaway is to travel. See other places. Hopefully my trip to Italy is the start of many more places and visits domestically and abroad. Different perspectives either change your mind or strengthen your own ideas. Both are good when done with reason and logic, along with a bit of personal experience.

2. Countries that rely on tourism are 100% different than those that do not. The USA does not need tourism like Italy does. Tourism is one revenue generator in America but it is THE generator in Italy. Every shop had signs in Italian and English, every server was nice, and everyone was a salesman. There is always a meal, souvenir, or tour trip to purchase. Remarkable how different it is from the USA. Italy's McDonald's were designed and operated like it was the only one on Earth and they NEEDED to sell you fries. Does it mean that our workers "don't care"? Yes and no, it's more-so the attitude of jobs in America. We have plenty so many people are OK with just getting by. Italy has a much higher unemployment, limited jobs, and limited opportunity. Each job is vital and workers treat them as such.

The negative is the jobs do not pay well. The average doctor makes 2K Euro every month, up to 3K post-school and residency. This is absurd, $60-80K per year for a doctor? And this job pays well! Different standards and different expectations. This combined with tourists means higher prices in cities for a population that does not earn enough. Where does this money go then? Government and the very rich, leaving everyone else behind and creating massive income inequality. Here is one example:

Pizza in Rome for single person: 10-11 Euro, medium size. Cheap quality and nothing special.

Pizza in Oliveto Citra (10K person town outside of Salerno for a single person: 3 Euro, medium-large size and in America is easily $15 in most places. Solid quality.

I understand that there is a difference from New York City to rural areas but this? It goes from $30k a year making you solid to upper middle class to $30k making you poor. I understand that $50k in NYC does not go far, but $50k in rural Kansas still doesn't make you Warren Buffet either. The gaps were astounding. And yes, this is coming from someone who resides in Kentucky and knows the difference between Chicago, Louisville, and rural Kentucky. Italy's financial difference was one-of-a-kind.

3. America works fast. Italy is slow. Not much else to say. We expect and get things done ASAP, Italy is about enjoying the day. Different mindset with happier people. You can not miss what you haven't heard of nor think is needed.

4. American's inability to speak multiple languages is embarrassing. Flat-out lazy. This is something that is incredible to witness in person. So many countries, so much mutual intelligibility, the expectation that you speak 3 languages: dialect, native language, and English, along with one you study at school. It is incredible and a cool feeling to switch between them. I speak English and Italian fluently, know an average amount of Neapolitan, and some French. I felt like a below-average European, African, Asian, or South American Tourist. They all knew multiple languages well. This is something we need to improve on. It makes your experience better, richer, more immerse, and connects to others on a different level.

5. Food quality is better in Italy. Home-made and produced. Everything is easy to eat. I wish I could bring it all home and eat it daily. One tradeoff: they drink a lot less water. Americans chug water given the food quality here has added ingredients, chemicals, and additives to make you want more. I felt like a fish everyday compared to them but by 2 weeks, I slowly needed less and less each day. I went from 5-6, daily 20 oz. waters in America to 2 by trip end. Higher quality food means less water.

6. Two things that just pissed me off: paying for water at restaurants and bathrooms. 1 Euro to pee? 5 Euro to get a liter of water with dinner? Ridiculous and annoying but you just accept it after a few days.

That is it for now, my sleep schedule is completely messed up. Back to work and reality...